A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim order for the forfeiture of properties valued at N11.14 billion, allegedly linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The ruling was delivered on Wednesday by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, following a motion brought forward by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC, represented by lead counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), along with Bilkisu Buhari-Bala and Chineye Okezie, argued that Emefiele acquired the high-value properties through proxies, using proceeds from fraudulent activities.
Oyedepo informed the court of the suspicion that Emefiele had purchased these properties with illicit funds.
The properties in question are primarily situated in affluent areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The EFCC also identified two current and one former CBN staff as accomplices in the alleged fraud scheme involving Emefiele.
Justice Aneke’s order includes a directive for the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in the ThisDay newspaper, providing an opportunity for any interested parties to present their case on why a final order of forfeiture should not be granted.
The judge has scheduled the hearing for the motion for final forfeiture on June 21st.
